Pet treat

Abstract

Provided are multi-layered pet treats containing meat and rawhide layers. In some aspects, the treats have an alternating layer structure containing at least layer of one or more dried meats and at least one layer of chopped rawhide pieces. Also provided are methods for making the treats, comprising layering the alternate layers in a mold, freezing the layers and slicing them prior to cooking. The treats provide high palatability and visual appeal to the pets, as well as conferring dental benefits on the pet.

1 . A pet treat comprising:
 a first slice segment having a first and a second peripheral side edge, wherein the first slice segment includes chopped rawhide pieces, and   a second slice segment having a first and a second peripheral side edge, wherein the second slice segment includes dried meat;   wherein the first slice segment and the second slice segment are adjacently positioned, and attached to each other, at the second peripheral side edge of the first slice segment and first peripheral side edge of the second slice segment.   
     
     
         2 . The pet treat of  claim 1  wherein the first slice further includes dried dough with the chopped rawhide pieces intermixed with the dried dough. 
     
     
         3 . The pet treat of  claim 2  wherein the first slice segment includes at least 75% chopped rawhide pieces by weight and the second slice segment includes at least 80% ground meat by weight. 
     
     
         4 . The pet treat of  claim 3  wherein the dried meat of the second slice segment includes one of dried ground meat and dried minced meat. 
     
     
         5 . The pet treat of  claim 3  further comprising a third slice segment having a first and a second peripheral side edge, wherein the third slice segment includes chopped rawhide pieces, and wherein the third slice segment and the second slice segment are adjacently positioned, and attached to each other, at the second peripheral side edge of the second slice segment and first peripheral side edge of the third slice segment. 
     
     
         6 . The pet treat of  claim 5  further comprising a fourth slice segment having a seventh and a eighth peripheral side edge, wherein the fourth slice segment includes dried meat, and wherein the fourth slice segment and the third slice segment are adjacently positioned, and attached to each other, at the second peripheral side edge of the third slice segment and first peripheral side edge of the fourth slice segment. 
     
     
         7 . The pet treat of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a third slice segment having a first and a second peripheral side edge, wherein the third slice segment includes chopped rawhide pieces, and wherein the third slice segment and the second slice segment are adjacently positioned, and attached to each other, at the second peripheral side edge of the second slice segment and first peripheral side edge of the third slice segment; and 
 a fourth slice segment having a seventh and a eighth peripheral side edge, wherein the fourth slice segment includes dried meat, and wherein the fourth slice segment and the third slice segment are adjacently positioned, and attached to each other, at the second peripheral side edge of the third slice segment and first peripheral side edge of the fourth slice segment. 
 
     
     
         8 . The pet treat of  claim 7  wherein the second and fourth slice segments each contain at least 80% dried meat by weight. 
     
     
         9 . The pet treat of  claim 7  wherein the dried meat of the second and fourth slice segments is a jerky selected from the group consisting of a chicken jerky, beef jerky, and pork jerky. 
     
     
         10 . The pet treat of  claim 1  wherein second slice segment is a unitary piece of dried meat. 
     
     
         11 . A method of making a pet treat comprising the steps of:
 layering a second layer on top of a first layer, wherein one of the first and second layers includes dried meat, and the other of the first and second layers includes chopped rawhide pieces in a binder;   freezing the superimposed first and second layers; and   slicing the frozen superimposed first and second layers into relatively thin slice segments including portions of both of the first and second layers.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising the steps of layering a third layer on top of the second layer; wherein the third layer includes dried meat or chopped rawhide pieces in a binder similar to the first layer. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising step of heating the relatively thin slice segments. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising the steps of layering a fourth layer on top of the third layer; wherein the fourth layer includes dried meat or chopped rawhide pieces in a binder similar to the second layer. 
     
     
         15 . A pet treat comprising alternating slice segments of a first type and a second type, the first and second types of slice segments having compositions different form each other, wherein the first type of slice segment includes chopped rawhide pieces and the second type of slide segment includes dried meat, and wherein the pet treat has an appearance simulating the appearance of a slice of bacon. 
     
     
         16 . The pet treat of  claim 15  wherein the pet treat has an average thickness of less than or equal to 0.1875 inches. 
     
     
         17 . The pet treat of  claim 16  wherein the slice segment of the first type includes at 75% rawhide and 5% rice flour by weight and the slice segment of the second type includes at least 90% meat. 
     
     
         18 . The pet treat of  claim 17  wherein the pet treat has an average length between 4 inches and 6 inches and an average width between 1.5 inches and 3 inches. 
     
     
         19 . The pet treat of  claim 17  including at least two slice segments of the first type. 
     
     
         20 . The pet treat of  claim 17  including at least two slice segments of the second type.